About Us

The Northshore Schools Foundation is a local 501 (c)(3) local non-profit, charity that serves students, and teachers in the Northshore School District located in the communities of Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville. The Foundation is funded solely by private contributions and operates separately from the Northshore School District.

We are most proud of our efforts to enrich the educational experience for students, supporting teachers and making a meaningful contribution to public education and the community. The Foundation has granted over $1.7 million dollars to our schools, funding programs and resources that benefit every student, nearly every day during their school career.

We are honored to have been voted “Best Local Non-profit” in the Best of Northshore 2016 and 2017; to have received the “Top Rated” classification in 2015 award from Great Non-Profits an; to be a “Gold Participant” on Guidestar.

Our Mission

The Northshore Schools Foundation raises funds and builds partnerships to fill in gaps in support of District priorities for educational success and excellence for all Northshore students, teachers and staff.

Principles

Enrich & enhance individualized learning for each child in the Northshore School District

Provide funding for shortfalls in student programs for the following categories: ENGAGED LEARNERS, RELEVANT CURRICULUM, IMPACTFUL INSTRUCTION and LIFELONG SUCCESS

Increase community involvement in student success

Inform parents of their child’s benefits from Foundation funding

Engage a vibrant, active board that involves the community, runs an impeccable non-profit and makes a positive impact on student and teacher success

Support Northshore School Board & District goals

Values

Support full individualized learning so each child has real-world experiences becoming career and college ready

Demonstrate the values of public education by connecting community with schools

Operate with transparency, responsibility and agility

ENGAGE • EMPOWER • THRIVE

Our Funding Priorities

ENGAGED LEARNERS

Each student deserves the opportunity to achieve academic growth regardless of their skills, abilities, learning style, cultural background or economic circumstances. We fund programs that implement personalized support programs and remove barriers for student learning to achieve that goal. Backpacks for Kids, M.I.L.K. Money, Basic Needs Aid, and the Opportunity Fund, provided much needed resources to students who are experiencing economic challenges and crisis. Classroom grants give students access to the tools they need to stay focused on learning like: individualized learning devices, leveled libraries, bilingual resources and sensory engagement equipment. Programs like the Math Olympiad and Tenmarks provide advanced and highly capable students with a wider platform to reach their full learning potential.

RELEVANT CURRICULUM

Since its inception, the Northshore Schools Foundation has sought to enrich and extend students’ educational experiences by funding innovative classroom grants. The most diverse of our funding areas, the Foundation invests in projects that encourage and inspire learning beyond the core curriculum. Our innovative classroom grants provide real world experiences through field trips and hands-on activities while providing the opportunity for students to practice creative and critical thinking skills. We fund projects that support Literacy and S.T.E.M., inspire creativity, encourage fitness, and celebrate music and the arts and emergent opportunities that make learning real for students.

IMPACTFUL INSTRUCTION

Students thrive when their teachers have the resources they need yet, many necessary supplies exceed classroom budgets. Classroom libraries sets, industry grade equipment and technology support are just some of the things that are accessible to students thanks to your help. We also fund instructional training during times of curriculum adoption and provide resources for individual teachers by offsetting tuition costs for the University of Washington Mentorship Support Program, which supports teachers through the National Board Certification process. Our investments in quality instruction helps engage students and inspire teachers. By providing classroom libraries to new teachers; or industry grade equipment to our science classrooms; or building community partnership for classroom specific activities.

LIFELONG SUCCESS

The Foundation collaborates with local business and industry to provide authentic connections between students and the community. Through coordination of district-wide career fairs and actively recruiting adult volunteers to interact with students for a variety of programs, the Foundation provides students with the opportunity to connect with adults and role models beyond the classroom. Our long-standing support of district measures provides comprehensive social and emotional education that affects every student. Priority projects funded by this initiative instigate intellectual curiosity and prepare students for post-secondary success, productive citizenship, and life-long learning.